Something Sad

I have to tell you this. You know the way our church youth group goes to the Baptist Community Center every wed and help the kids with their homework and play with them? Well, James got a call from the director Thursday night. She said DSS had come to a house in the neighborhood and took some precious children into care. Pat said she would call James and ask if those precious children could be placed in a family in our church. Pat said "are there any more families in your church that I can give DSS their phone number and send the kids to their house?" Pat really wanted these children to be able to stay together. She didn't want them to be put in different homes and add to their trauma. Sadly, we didn't have anyone to tell her about. It is humbling to receive a phone call from the community asking for help and have to say no... sometimes you have to say no. But I don't think so in this case. Helping the orphans? I don't think so... Pat's phone call came on the heels of an e mail the church received asking for help with foster respite care. It seems like God is doing something in our midst. I am excited to see what God is going to do. I love love love being a part of a church that is growing and listening to the Spirit of God. It is a wonderful thing! I was sad this week that would couldn't help this family and community center but I am excited about what God is preparing us for. Mercy should Triumph within ourselves, our family and our Church.

Africa this summer? a helpful tool to get there!

I was praying about going to Africa this summer with James and the youth group. If you read my account of the Mexico trip you may be laughing at me. I am a spoiled brat. I do have a very easy life. But - since I was a child I have dreamed about Afica. So, my heart is drawn to this trip (even thouh my food preferences and my pale skin are a little worried!).
The cost is the big factor. Do we take a time out from the dave ramsey plan? Is it worth it? ...
James and I decided I should go to Africa! There is alot to be said in the book of James about not scurrying around being worried about money. That being said - someone has got to make the green stuff to make life run smoothly.
I was readng moneysaving mom's blog and just so happened to be on there the day she was giving away her new audio book to bloggers - God blessed me with a free copy! Her book was very helpful in giving me ideas to save money for my upcoming missions trip.
I have read Dave Ramsey Books and have listened to his radio show. He helped our family realize that we wanted to "live like no one else now so eventually we could live like no one else!" We will forever be thankful to him for helping us climb out of debt. What I loved about moneysaving mom's book is that... well, she's a mom! She thinks and talks like a mom. Dave does not talk that way :0)So - if you want to sit down and hear from a sweet friend, this lady is the one to shed some light on your finances. She starts out having you dream up some goals. Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? Break your goals down into bite size pieces. She talks about you cleaning your house so you can think straight! Some of you may not like that but it is a proven fact that if your house is messy then inside your pretty little head is messy ;) After those two things she has you tackle your food budget and so on.
Another thing I appreciate about her is she mentions a few times that you are going to mess up. Give yourself three months to conquer a certain area. Ahhh, that is so freeing to me. I have three months to get it right! Thank you! That's what gets me about coupons. I want to have it all figured out in the first shopping trip. That wasnt happening and it was bugging me. I will sort some other areas out but when the time is right, i just may give the coupon thing a try again... and hang on for three months. Another freeing thing she says in her book is to allow 40 dollars per person in your family for your grocery bill,toiletries etc. I don't know about you but that is way more than I spend a week. She is not saying you can only spend 50 dollars a week. Mind you - before children, 50 dollars was our budget. Kids are expensive!
So what have I learned in this book and how will it help me get to Africa?
1. Set a goal - Africa
2. Bite size pieces - figure out how much money I need per month to get there. (done that!)
3. Come up with ideas to make the money. (yep!) shave off money from the grocery bill, make short term sacrifices.
Listening to her book was a blessing and helped me remember that I can reach pretty amazing goals if I work at it.

If you are struggling financially or if your a mom and would like some positive reinforcement into your budget, then this is the book for you. I looove Dave Ramsey but I have to say Moneysaving mom says the same stuff in a nice kind friend to friend way. I have never met her but after listening to her audio book a few times, i consider her a friend :0) ... and thanks for the free audio book!

Best Easter gift!

What to say what to say... First of all the blog world looks different. I am so behind the times! I wrote a post about a great book Money Saving Mom wrote and I cannot find it. She gave it to me for free and I didnt even post about it. I will. I promise. I keep thinking I need James to help me on here and then I forget to ask him. We have added two blessings to our family. I am not talking about pets either. I know some people are into pets but not me. Or James. We got lucky and Conor is allergic to dogs so we have an awesome excuse. Anyway, what I was saying was, God has allowed us to have a wonderful little boy and girl come stay with us. They are gorgeous!! They are brother and sister and I love the fact they get to stay together. Let me back track. On Easter Day I got my first ever foster child. How special. God allowed me to celebrate new life in so many ways that day. I got to watch a 4 month old little boy for a week and he was precious! Well, except for the whole not sleeping through the night business! ;) While he was here, was when my other two blessings came. So, if you are counting that means we had 5 children 4 years old and younger and two of them were little babies. It was busy. But I am not going to lie, I had help! A big shout out to Emily McBride who came over and rocked babies, fed babies, Changed babies and had the magic touch at putting them to sleep. Busy times are wonderful bonding times with whoever will step into your crazy. After all, it is not their crazy. They can stay home and do their own thing. But those who joined me in those few days of crazy ~ Thank you! One friend brought me a meal. I didnt need a meal. BUT I felt verrrry loved by her that she would take the time to do that for me. So now we have two boys and two girls and they are enjoying each other very much. I am giving myself six weeks to get used to a new normal. I have three weeks left. The cutest thing is seeing Conor draw six people in his family. Another adorable thing is watching them all sleep so sweetly. This week James came in with a card from the mail. The card was so pretty. There was 60 dollars in the card and no name! Praise God for His many blessings. What I love about serving God and extending mercy is ~ I have a front row seat in watching God do pretty cool things. I am not doing it. He is! He blesses when we do what He has called us to. So~ how are we doing? Everyone is doing well and James and I feel humbled that God would allow us to love these children on His behalf.